Indicating device for storage batteries



Oct. 20,1925. 1,558,076

R. N. CHAMBERLAIN INDICATING DEVICE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Filed April 18. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DISH MMP J6 sTmm/n; sw/rm/ 7f jf y nil/J2 30 a i 17 1/ ATTORNEYS amen.

- 01' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

nmrcamo nmcs roa s'romon uranium Application fled April 18, m4. lerlal Io. 707,408.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Rn'ros N. Cinnam- LAIN, a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, county of Cook, State of II inois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Indicating Devices for Storage Batteries, of which the following is a specification.

' service without modification of the batteries,

and at little expense. I have also devised a device which includes preferably a normally open circuit, and in t e application of this device no element foreign to the composition or construction of the batteries is introduced.

In devices of this character it is necessary that there should not be any constant drain of the battery energy; nor that there should be introduced into the battery any element which would induce any chemical action or produce any substance which has a deleterious effect or action u on any elements of the battery. If any of the foregoing is present, it becomes impossible to secure the approval of the storage battery manufacturers or the automobile makers, without which such devices will not be applied to new or old batteries.

My invention will be better understood by reading the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing modifications embodying my invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a 3- cell storage battery with the preferred form of my invention applied thereto, the batter being in section;

' -ig. 2 shows a side elevationof a 3-cell storage battery with a modification of' my invention applied thereto;

"Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention; I

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention;

to the end of the electrode 11.

Fig. 6 isa view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention.

F g. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of my invention. The batter comprises cells 1, 2 and 3 which may be 0 any well-known construction. Each of these cells consists of a container 4, the usual positive and negative plates which are omitted from the drawing to more clearly illustrate my invention, terminal of a positive plate assembly 5 and terminal of a negative plate assembly 6. The plate assemblies of the cells are connected in series by connectors 7 and 8. In Figure 1 the negative terminal 9 of 1 a short distance below the normal level of the electrolyte, the said normal level being indicated by the dotted line 13.

A wire 14 connects the electrode llwith the usual dash lamp 15 of an automobile. The other side of the lamp 15 is rounded at 16, thus connecting the other si e of the circuit to the negative terminal 9 of the bat-' tery. The usual dash switch 17-which may or may not be incorporated in the das lamp holder or socket, is placed in the indicator circuit, and is normally open so that the indicator circuit 11, 14:, 17, 15, 16 and '9 is open and no energy is taken from the battery. When it is desired to test the battery to see if the electrolyte is not below a predetermined level, the switch 17 is closed and if the electrolyte is in engagement with the electrode 11 the lamp '15 will be lighted, thus indicating to the operator that the level of the electrolyte is not below the predetermined point which corresponds Thus the position of the electrode 11 in the cell established the predetermined point at which the electrolyte may 'recede before the indicator circuit is broken. a p

1 The voltage between the electrode 11 and the negative terminal 9 of the battery is upon the state of charge of the batteryand the conditions under which it is operating. In the ordinary operation of an automobile, the dash light will be used in the normal way which is often enough to a prise the operator of the level of the electro yte. That is to say, if the dash switch 17 is closed to light the dash lam in the ordinary way, the said lamp wil light Iprovided the electrolyte is not too low. pon lighting, the lamp indicates to the operator that the electrolyte level is at a, satisfactory height. If the lamp should fail to light on the closing of the switch 17, the operator would be adradiating surfaces and therefore higher internal temperatures, I insert the intermediate electrode in that cell, in which case the voltage between the intermediate electrode and the ositive terminal of the\cell on one side, an the negative terminal of the cell on the other side will va from one three volts according to conditions, obtaining in the electrical circuit of the battery. In this case a standard three to four volt lamp may be used, and while the illumination may not be suflicient for the purpose of serving as the usual dash lam it IS suflicient for use as an indicator, an where a meter type of indicator is used, the electrical design can be made to conform to the voltages of the electrode circuit and thus to operate in an entirely satisfactory manner.

Special lamps may be manufactured to operate on the voltages of theelectrode circuit when the electrode is placed in the middle cell so as to give the same illumination as is now secured from the usual dash lamp, but I prefer the arrangement wherein standard lamps are used. p The indicator and electrode circuits shown in the accompanyin drawings would not be affected or changed in principle by inserting the electrode in the middle cell.-

I have found that the best results are secured by the use of antimonial lead as the composition for the electrode 11, though lead alone can be used. Practically all automobile batteries are of the well-known pasted tape consisting of a grid of antimonial ad havin pockets in which is pasted lead oxide, own as the active material of the battery plate. The grid does not actively enter into the battery capacity but merely su ports the active material an acts as a con uctor through which the current p to the terminals of the battery. By t e use of an intermediate electrode of antimonial lead it will therefore be ap.-

parent that I am using the same materials as that of which the plate grids are composed. I have found that carbon may be used as an intermediate electrode with entirely satisfactory results and without injury to the battery, but I prefer to use antimonial lead. Carbon also would not introduce any foreign substance into the cells of the battery, as many storage battery manufacturers use lampblack (carbon) in the negative paste material.

By placing the electrode in the cell, the positive terminal of which is free, said electrode takes a negative polarity thereby being maintained clean and con uctive at all tunes, sothatu n the instant closure of the electrode indicating circuit the lamp or otherindicating device will immediately operate lprovided the electrol is in contact witi the intermediate e ectrode. For this reason I prefer to place the intermediate electrode in cell 1 instead of in cell 8.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the )arts are numbered the same as those of ig. 1, but have the exponent a applied thereto. In this arrangement the intermediate electrode 11" is placed in the cell 8 having the negative terminal free, and a circuit leads from the electrode 11' through a wire 14; switch 17, lam 15 and wire 18:

9 of the cell 1'.

to the positive terminal The negative terminal 9" is rounded at 10. In this modification with t e electrode in the cell having the free ne tive terminal, a film of lead peroxide is ormed on said electrode durin the time that the indicating circuit is close So long as the circuit remains closed this film permits the flow of current so as to maintain the lamp 15' at normal brilliancy. If the indicating circuit is interrupted and the intermediate electrode with the roxide film thereon is rmitted to remain open-circuited in the e ectrolyte of the cell 3', a film of lead sul to is formed on the surface of the lea peroxide previousl formed.

This lead su phate has an insulating effect upon the electrode 11, so that after the indicatin circuit has stood open for a period 0 from twelve to twenty-four hours are or longer, it requires aconsiderable time for the establishment of a suflicient current throu h the indicating lam to bring it to norma brilliancy. Unless e resistance of the indicating circuit, including that of the lamp, is relatively low this resistance film will prevent the establishment of the indicating circuit within sumcient time to be practicable.

In fact is too high, it is doubtful if suficient current flow could be secured without removing the electrode 11' and clean' It is on account of the formation of this insulating film that I prefer to place the if the resistance of this the same.

intermediate electrode in the cell having the positive free terminal, as shown in Fig. 1. As above stated, if the indicating circuit is; maintained closed, the film of roxide does not interfere with the current ow, but an equal objection resides in the fact that if the circuit is maintained closed, a constant drain is placed upon the battery, and whereas, the amount 0f current is slight it is nevertheless suflicient to completely discharge. the battery. I have found by experiment that it is wholly impractical to use a normally closed circuit for the indicator-electrode circuit. If the circuit were 'madeof suflicient resistance to cut down the of such high resistance that if the circuit were interrupted for any length of time, it certainly could not be again established within a period of time suilicient to serve the urpose covered by my invention.

The parts shown in Fig. 3 are numbered the same as those in Fig. 1, but have the exponent b applied thereto. In this modification the intermediate electrode 11 is placed in the cell having a free positive terminal and instead of using the dash switchfor controlling the usual dash lamp as in Figs. 1 and 2, the ignition switch 20 is used, or if desired, the indicator circuit may be controlled by the usual lighting switch. In the fore oing arrangement, the switch closes the in icating circuit through the usual dash lamp 15 when the ignition is on. This means that so lon as the enine is operating, the lamp, if lighted, will I indicate that the battery electrolyte level is satisfactory, so that each time the motor is operated the o rator is advised of the level of the electro e. If upon throwing the ignition switch on, the lamp did not light, the operator would know that his battery needed filling. The indicating circuit is completed through the ignition coil 21 or other grounding arrangement to ground 16*. The negative terminal 9 is grounded at 10".

The modification in Fig. 4 is quite similar to that shown in Fig. 3 and the parts bear the samenumbers except the exponent e is added thereto. I In this embodiment the intermediate electrode 11 is in a cell having a free negative terminal and therefore instead of grounding the indicator circuit through the ignition system, it is connected directly to the positive terminal of the battery, parts of the lighting or ignition switch being used to control the circuit.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5. the parts shown are numbered the same as in Fi 1, except that the exponent f is added thereto. In this arrangement the indicator circuit is connected through the switch operating the starting motor. The intermediate electrode is in a cell having a free positive terminal, and a separate indicator lamp" is employed. A meter type of indicator ma here be used also, but-I prefer the lamp. e lamp is connected by a wire 24 to the contact 25 on the starting switch. A switch member 27, normall open, eonnects the contacts 25 and 26 o the starting motor switch and at the same time closes the indicator circuit throu h starting motor 28 to ground at 29. The amp 15 is therefore lighted durin the operation of the starting motor, an its circuit is automatically opened u on release of the starting motor switch t us roviding a fully automatic method of in icating the position of the electrolyte to the operator. In addition,

ractically no current is consumed by the indicator, it being understood that the starting switch is closed only infrequently and then for a very short period of time.

It will be noted that in all of the foregoing modifications the negative terminal of the battery is grounded. In the modifications shown in Figs. 6 to 8 the positive terminal of the battery is grounded. These modifications are shown in this way in order that the art may be fully instructed as to the application of my invention in its various forms to the batteries with the negative terminals grounded or with the positive terminals grounded. Some automobile manufacturers prefer to ground one terminal and some prefer to ground the other.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, the positive terminal 30 is grounded at 31. The intermediate electrode 32 is placed in cell 33 having a free negative terminal. A wire 34 connects the electrode 32 with the dash switch 35. A dash lamp 36 is connected to the switch 35 which may also be incorporated in the dash lamp housing or socket, and to the ground at 37, so that upon closing the switch 35 the indicator circuit is closed and the lamp 36 lighted. In this modification the intermediate electrode is in the cell having a free negative terminal and therefore the indicator circuit must be of sufiiciently low resistance so that the current will flow immediately upon closing the same although the same necessity for immediate indication is not present in this modification as it is where the indicator circuit is closed through the starting switch, or where a spring switch is used.

In Fig. 7 the corresponding parts bear the same numbers as the parts of Fig. 6 except that the exponent b has been added thereto. The intermediate electrode is placed in the cell having a free negative terminal 33 and is connected to the usual dash lamp 36 The lamp may be operated by the ignition or lighting switch 42 and to ground at 37 either directly or through the ignition system. In this modification, as in that of Fig. the indicator circuit is closed only when a thed the engine is o 'Aasoon as the ignition or ligh indicator circuit is mterru ted. W ance of this circuit is me that lamp 86' will come to full shortly the controlling switch is closed. In this embodiment a separate indicator lamp from that of the usual dash lamp may used.

In the modification'shown in Fig. 8 the parts are numbered the same as co ndmg parts in Fig. (land have. the nent 0 added thereto. .In'this modification intermediate electrodeis in the cell having itive terminal and is to lamp 86'. The lamp is connected to the startin motor side of the startmg'motor switch 44 y wire 45. 'The starting switch 46 is connected to the negative term nal of the battery and when 0 starting motor 44 across the battery and at the same time closes the indicator circuit by connectin the wire 46 to the negative terminal. of t e batte The intermediate electrode being in a ce 1 having a free positive terminal, and hence having a negative electrical characteristic, is lre t clean and immediately upon closing the indicator circuit the lamp will li ht, provided the electrolyte is not below t e and of the intermediate electrode.

From the fore ing it willbeevident that I have provid an indicator, particularly for automobile storage batteries, which is simple and positive in operation. In all instances where the automobile is provided with a dash lamp and switch either combined or separate, the only additional parts required for my invention are the intermediate electrode and a" wire connecting same to the switch. In the preferred form of my invention the intermediate electrode 18 placed in the cell having afree positive terminal and for reasons already explained remains clean and highly conductive soas to 've an. immediate indication u n the closing of the indicator circuit. 11 those instances where the indicator circuit is closed for only a brief riod, as for instance when completed t rough the switch of the starting motor, the intermediate electrode is placed in the cell having the free positive terminal so that it is'ke t clean to give an immediate indication to t e operator of the electrolyte level each time the motor is started. In those instances where the intermediate electrode is placed in the cell having a free negative terminal, it is so connected that the circuit is closed for a. considerable riodof time, and a low resistance circuit is provided so that notwithstandin the formation of a sulphate insulating fi im-on the intermediate electrode, the

indicator, whether lamp or of the meter t is operated to advise the operatorthat th ievel of the electrolyte is not below. the

switchit 0 ed, the;

osed connects the tomobile storage batteries, including end of' the intermediate instance I have, illustrated a 8'-oell because nearl all automobiles batteryisused.

of the present date employ cell batteries. There are one or more exceptions, however where a t-cell trodema beinsertedina'cellthatwill. permito an-indicator circuit voltagethat willpermitotstandardvoltagelampsbeing' used, and such embodiments will be substan tiall the equivalents of those shown for 8-ce batteries. Slight changes may be automobile storag:d battery comprising a from said'ba insignal, a circuit 1 means controlled a eluding said predetermined evel of electrol in said circuitat one point when -the lyte is above a predetermined level and normally 0 n circuit controlling means oratin siix iultaneously with means with the normaloperation of the automobile for closing said circuit at a second point.

2. The combination of a stern battery,

a signal, a circuit for said signs including the batte and means inside the battery for opening t e circuit at onepoint when the e ectrolyte of the battery falls below a determined level and means contro by means actuated during the operation of the automobile for temporarily closing the circuit at a second point.

3. The combination of a storage battery, a double function signal operated through a circuit including the battery, means in battery for controlling the circuit to cause said signal to perform one function dependent upon the evel of the electrolyte of the battery and means on the car acting when operated for another function to complete the circuit for-said signal.

4. An electrolyte level indicator for aua storage'battery havin a plurali of cells connected in series, a n intermediate electrade placed in one cell and extending to a predetermined point in the electrolyte chamber of said cell, an indicator, a circuit including the electrode, the indicator and the far or free terminal of a cell at least one cell removed from the electrode and inter mittently operated means for operating the car or placing the car in operation and adapted when operated to close sa d circuit.

5. In anindicator for automobile storage batteries. the combination of a storage battery'having a plurality of cells connected in series, an intermediate electrode of antimal lave ing to' a re ermined 'poi nt below np'rmal level of the .elcttQlytQih'said cell; a. lamp;

acircuit, including fth el'actmde of anti-.

monial lead, th'e-.-lar rifi) .ahdthe farbr free terminal ofacellat e erated ,to. control said circilili.v

6. In an ind'icator ioraubomob'ile storage batteries, the combination of a storage bateration of 'the automobile adaptd whe n op:

tel-y having-a plurality ofcells oonnectedip -'ser1es",.-an intermediate ehactrode of antlmonia'l lead placed ixi'joxieball-and ext/end ing' to a fredetermined point bel ast (ma-cell remoyad from the electrode of anti'mqnial lead and means used for -another purpose inthe' up:

ow tha-nol of the eleptrolyteipi s'aidi cellgfa imp; a? aircait. i ncludil l g" fliefel uodefbf antimon'ial lead', the lamp and the; free ter-' minal: jofa 'cell at least one" cell removcdx fromf the electrode of antimoniallau'd and H01 ing saidf ,circuit i" and a lamp and means having another iurxc 

